Administer Justice celebrates 15 years of serving the local communityFeb 9, 2015 9:26 PMJessica Denardo
Elgin-based nonprofit Administer Justice will celebrate 15 years of serving the local community on Saturday, Feb. 14. To commemorate the organization’s anniversary, Administer Justice is challenging 1,500 individuals to donate $10 by texting the word “Justice” to the number 20222.

Bags league draws big following in Northwest suburbsFeb 9, 2015 2:35 PMBy Eileen O. Daday
The Southside Beanbags League, run every week by the River Trails Park District during the winter month, started with six teams nearly 10 years ago, but now takes in 44 teams grouped in five divisions according to ability. “It's perfect,” Larry Luttrell says, explaining that it gives him something to do in the winter when he can't play softball.

Troupe to bring ‘African Folk Tales’ to SchaumburgFeb 16, 2015 8:42 AMSubmitted by Susan Miura, Schaumburg Township District Library
Children ages four and up are invited to the “African Village Folktales” stage show from 4-4:45 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 17, in the Rasmussen Room of the Schaumburg Township District Library, 130 S. Roselle Road, Schaumburg. Limited tickets for this free program will be distributed in the kidsZone at 3:40 p.m.

Gay bias same as racial biasFeb 9, 2015 5:36 PM
A Streamwood letter to the editor: May I add a footnote to Ilish Talarico’s excellent letter supporting gay rights? Prior to 50 years ago blacks were told to respect the beliefs of those who do not agree with their right to be equal in society and to politely accept a low place in the system of segregation and discrimination.

Local Soroptimist Club Offers GED GrantFeb 9, 2015 4:56 PMDiane Kegley
Chicago Suburbs —Women who currently attend G.E.D. courses and who are seeking financial assistance to complete certification can now obtain an application for this award. The G.E.D. Grant is Soroptimist International of Suburban Chicago’s cash award that honors the women completing their equivalency to improve their lives and those of their family. Applications are available by contacting Soroptimist International of Suburban Chicago (SISC) via e-mail at siofsuburban.chicago@soroptimist.net . SISC will give two cash awards that cover the cost of the test. Deadline for completed applications is April 1, 2015. The winners will be honored at a luncheon in May where their checks and grant certificates will be awarded.
Soroptimist International of Suburban Chicago is a volunteer organization for business and professional women dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls, in local communities and throughout the world. Founded in 1989, the Suburban Chicago club is part of Soroptimist International which has over 90,000 members in more than 120 countries and territories who contribute time and financial support to community-based projects that benefit women. In addition to the G.E.D. Grant, Soroptimist International of Suburban Chicago has three additional awards for women and girls. For more information about the awards, our local programs and Soroptimism visit our web site at si-suburbanchicago.org .

Give Obama credit for positive eventsFeb 6, 2015 3:50 PM
A Streamwood letter to the editor: One does not need to be a bleeding-heart liberal to admit to him or herself the Barack Obama has accomplished much with a house against him during the last four years,

Registration for St. Catherine School now openFeb 6, 2015 4:56 PMPat Szpekowski
Registration for the 2015-16 school year is now open for St. Catherine of Siena School in West Dundee. Registration is available for: Pre-K3 Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8:30 to 11 a.m.; Pre-K4 Monday through Friday at 8:30 to 11:30 a.m.; full-day kindergarten; openings in all grades from first grade to eighth; and Spartan Care, an extended afterschool care program, available from 3:05 to 6 p.m.

Prison for Streamwood man who crashed car into schoolFeb 6, 2015 3:29 PMBy Barbara Vitello
A Streamwood man who crashed his car into a Hoffman Estates school last year pleaded guilty to drunk driving and other charges, court records show. Jonathan Carolos Hernandez was sentenced to one year in prison in exchange for his guilty plea.

Presidents’ Issue New Report on Granting Baccalaureate Degrees for Various FieldsFeb 5, 2015 4:17 PMCOD News Bureau
Illinois Council of Community College Presidents
NORMAL Illinois community college presidents approved a recommendation urging the community college system be allowed to grant four-year baccalaureate degrees for nursing and other applied career areas at their meeting on Friday, January 30.
“This recommendation, which took nearly one year to study and prepare, shows our community colleges can be the place where students can earn the degrees close to home which is important to their families and communities,” said Thomas Choice, the president of the Illinois Council of Community College Presidents.
The study recommends community colleges be authorized to grant four-year degrees for applied careers and nursing degrees. Illinois would join 21 others states already offering these four-year degrees. Illinois officials have discussed the concept and experiences for families in other states for several years.
“Our study indicates many employers across the state need a workforce with a higher level of education. Community colleges are uniquely positioned with their strong industry and workforce relationships to provide these programs” said Carl Sandberg College President Lori Sundberg. Sundberg chaired the committee that wrote the report.
The Council will work with the Illinois Community College Trustees Association, the Illinois Community College Board, the Illinois Board of Higher Education and the legislature to ensure the necessary steps to move forward.
Choice, who is president of Kishwaukee College in Malta Illinois, noted the report recommends the addition of these programs be managed without any additional state funding. It is anticipated that the variable tuition program already used by many community colleges for career and technical degrees would be used for these four-year degrees.
The applied baccalaureate degrees would cover fields like automotive, respiratory therapy and dental hygiene among others.

United Way of Elgin announces 2015-17 investment cycleFeb 5, 2015 6:01 PMElissa Kojzarek
Over the past decade, United Way of Elgin has evolved from its roots as a fundraising organization to an important community convener that works to mobilize local partners, including businesses, community leaders, public officials and community residents to expand opportunities for people to succeed.

ECC students open on-campus food pantryFeb 5, 2015 7:04 PMElgin Community College
Elgin Community College will be opening a campus food pantry to help benefit the 28 percent of students who are economically disadvantaged. The Spartan Food Pantry, operated and stocked by Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society members, will host a grand opening on Tuesday, Feb. 17, from 10 a.m. to noon.